Meet Our Teachers

My name is Andrea Mazade and I have been a preschool educator for ten years. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to say that I have been with Lupine since its founding in 2018. Over the last several years 

I have also worked in an administrative capacity with several entities specializing in issues related to children’s residential mental health.

 

I'm eagerly anticipating the opportunities for learning we will have on our new farm  - there will be so much to explore and discover! I believe deeply in the philosophies of our school and the impact of connecting with children through their eyes, their perspectives, their curiosity and interests, and through honoring their feelings. 

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I have a BA in Psychology from Guilford College and a love of crafts and culinary arts, both of which I enjoy incorporating into teaching. 

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Outside of the classroom I love spending time with my husband Eduardo, our daughter Luisa, our pup Chili. 

I’m Tiffany Palombi, and I’m so excited to be co-teaching The Lupine School’s preschool class!

 

Originally from Charleston, SC, I hold a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Carolina.  I am passionate about child-led, constructivist learning and am overjoyed to have the opportunity to create a learning experience primarily outdoors and in touch with nature.

When I’m not teaching, I can be found hiking with my kids and dog, gardening, curled up with a sci-fi book, playing complicated board games or cooking overflowing meals for friends and family. ​

My name is Hannah Reed, and I am thrilled and grateful to be part of the Lupine community. I am an educator, illustrator, and nature enthusiast with over fifteen years of experience working with children through creative arts and hands-on learning.

My passion for teaching began when I discovered the wide spectrum of learning styles and their ability to spark creativity, confidence, and curiosity. I love creating opportunities for children to build resilience, nurture their imaginations, and develop a lasting connection with the natural world through meaningful, experiential learning. One of my favorite parts of teaching is witnessing those joyful “aha!” moments when a child connects a new concept to the world around them. I can’t wait to explore, discover, and cultivate lasting memories together on the farm.

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When I’m not teaching, you’ll likely find me outdoors with my daughter and our dog, Jodie, creating art, biking, geeking out over native plants and birds, cooking, gardening, or cuddling our chickens.

 

My name is Katie Aries, and I am so excited to be teaching Lupine’s kindergarten class! 

 

I am originally from northern New Jersey and hold a Bachelor’s degree in English from Mount Saint Mary College in Newburgh, New York. I was an elementary school special education teacher for six years in New Jersey before moving to North Carolina and teaching elementary school including first and fifth grade for four years in Charlotte. I really enjoy creating opportunities for children to learn from and connect to the natural world around them. 

 

I live in Pittsboro with my husband and two children, both Lupine students, and together we enjoy gardening, bird watching, crafting, working on puzzles, and taking care of our dog, Speck and cat, Bean.

My name is Maxwell Rees. I’m thrilled to take part in this program!

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Having grown up in Florida, I studied English Literature and Spanish at Flagler College before spending a couple years working in childcare as I earned my teaching certification. My first teaching job was at a literacy-focused Montessori school in Cocoa, Florida, where I spent a fantastic year teaching creative writing. I soon moved further South and began to teach 8th grade Intensive Reading at a public middle school in Melbourne. The two years I spent teaching 8th grade were immensely valuable and fun, but they also made me nostalgic for the time I spent teaching elementary!

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My main goal as an educator is to be a positive presence and foster a bit of curiosity about the world and empathy for others. I also strongly believe that learning should be fun and flexible so that every student can engage with education however they can. 

Outside of work, I love to read, hike, take care of my plants, play guitar and find new things to do. I also love ultimate frisbee, and play pick-up soccer whenever I can!

My main independent academic interest is in linguistics; I’m currently studying Portuguese as well as ASL. Feel free to grill me if given the chance; I’ll take any opportunity to practice! 

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I’m so happy to be here, and am looking forward to an amazing year.

My name is Tara Lawson and I’m excited to be joining the Lupine Community! My daughter is in the preschool program and every day is her “best day ever!” The outdoor classroom is like a second home to me and I am excited to be on the farm with your children. 

 

I grew up in New Jersey exploring the Pine Barrens, coastal communities and farmlands. My interest in farm-based education began while I was working for a small environmental and agricultural education center with livestock and vegetable production. I have spent over ten years teaching and developing programs in Reggio-inspired, farm and forest classrooms for preschool and elementary students. I appreciate the genuine enthusiasm and learning that comes when students are inspired by their environment. I enjoy facilitating this process and helping children develop a sense of community with their peers and a love of the natural world. 

 

In my free time I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kimberly, children Oliver and Tessa, and our pets. Our family loves hiking, camping, boating and exploring. I enjoy sports, especially baseball, and I have coached little league. I love to see kids realize their potential! I always root for the home team for college athletics, (Go Heels!), but I am a Philadelphia sports fan at heart!